The following review was written by John Page Williams, Editor-at-large, Chesapeake Bay Magazine. John, senior naturalist for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, has been a regular contributor to Chesapeake Bay Magazine for 30 years, specializing in environmental issues, nature, wildlife, fishing and boats. He has been testing new and used boats for the magazine's Time-Tested and New Boat News departments since 1998.

JULY 2009

Length overall  12' 6" LWL  11' 2" Beam  4' 4" Draft  board up 5" / down 2' 3" Displ.323 lb / 1,063 lb Weight 200 lbs Mainsail 49 sq ft Base Price  $11,050

Building on the success of its popular 17-foot-6-inch rowing, sailing and camping-cruiser trailer boat, Canadian builder NorseBoat has come out with a smaller version that the company calls a "high-performance dinghy, yacht tender or daysailer." Designed by Laurie McGowan and based on Scandinavian fishing skiffs, NorseBoats have positive flotation, shallow draft, a raked carbon-fiber mast, a curved-gaff mainsail (with full battens) and an optional jib on a small bowsprit. The boat rows easily and weighs only 200 pounds. Available in kit form or professionally finished. The builder makes the boat as a fiberglass/wood hybrid or in wood. NorseBoat Ltd., Belfast, Prince Edward Island, Canada; 902-659-2790; www.norseboat.com